Eyewear

Maison Martin Margiela x Cutler and Gross Sunglasses

Filed under: Apparel

Experimental, provocative, avant garde French fashion label Maison Martin Margiela has teamed up with London-based luxury eyewear manufacturer Cutler and Gross on its first full collection of sunglasses. The collection, handmade in Italy for both men and women, features two distinct concepts, "Wrong Size" and "Anatomic", both offered in acetate and metal varieties. The "Wrong Size" range highlights Martin Margiela's pension for deconstruction and the experimental. Classic Cutler and Gross aviator-style frames are deconstructed then reconstructed with wrong sized lenses, making for a decadent and distinct pair of sunglasses. The Anatomic range features extra-large futuristic, functional wraparounds that "anatomically" wrap around the wearer's whole face providing absolute coverage. Prices for the collection, now available via haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies, range from $550 – $680 per pair.

Gallery: Maison Martin Margiela x Cutler and Gross

Tags: accessories, aviator sunglasses, Cutler and Gross, designers, Eyegoodies, eyewear, fashion, London, Maison Martin Margiela, Martin Margiela, sunglasses

Moss Lipow, Genius of Eyewear Design

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Moss Lipow (above), the avant-garde eyewear designer whose celebrity fans include David Bowie, M.I.A., Elton John and the Olsen Twins, was recently named a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, the first eyewear designer to be so honored. He appears in the November issue of Vogue photographed by Norman Jean Roy with Victoria's Secret stunners Jessica Stam (left) and Caroline Trentini (right) sporting his unique creations. "Moss really found a way to make eyewear and sunglasses creative again," Stam tells Vogue in a video documenting the shoot, "and for that he's really a genius." Describing Lipow's innovative designs Vogue notes their look "suggests the wearer is shielding superpowers from mere mortals." The New York-based designer is also working on an authoritative history of eyewear, replete with 1200 images from his museum-quality collection of vintage and antique pieces, as well as examples of his own incredible custom creations, to be published by Taschen next year.

Tags: Caroline Trentini, CFDA, designer, eyewear, Jessica Stam, models, Moss Lipow, sunglasses, Vogue

Luxist Giveaway: Win a Zappos Gift Card

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Jewelry, Shoes, Holiday Guides, Children, Men's Style

You know you've been browsing Zappos on your lunch hour under the guise of holiday shopping for friends and family, but admit it, you always see a little something you'd love too, and you slip it into your cart. I do the same thing. You've learned that whether you're shopping for yourself or for someone else for the holidays, or any time, Zappos is your go-to place. Much more than just shoes, the easy-to-shop (and fun-to-shop) site also offers clothing, bags, housewares, and watches, and even beauty products, eyewear, jewelry, and sporting goods, for men, women, and kids. You can't beat the free shipping and free 365-day return policy, either. Check out the Holiday Gift Guide for ideas!

Here's some more good news. Luxist wants to make things easier on you and your wallet this month. Our great friends at Zappos offered us one $100 gift card to give to a lucky reader selected at random. To enter, follow the instructions below.

* Leave a confirmed comment below telling us what one item from the site you would love to buy for yourself or for someone else.
* The comment must be left and confirmed no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 14, 2010.
* One entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by e-mail.
* One winner will receive a $100 gift card for use on Zappos.com, to be delivered by postal mail.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See the complete rules here.

The contest is closed. The winner will be notified by e-mail by December 17. Thanks for participating!

Tags: apparel, beauty, clothing, eyewear, free, gift card, gift cards, giveaway, giveaways, handbags, shoes, sporting goods, watches, Zappos

New '50s-Inspired Shades from Dolce & Gabbana's Gold Edition

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

New '50s-Inspired Shades from Dolce & Gabbana's Gold Edition

Last winter we wrote about the exclusive new collection of Gold Edition sunglasses plated in pure 18-carat gold from Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. Now the duo has added some new designs to the luxe collection - whose fans include Brad Pitt – including two cool new Fifties-inspired styles (above) for Spring / Summer 2011. The slick shades starred in Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2010 / 2011 men's fashion show in tribute to the 20th anniversary of their men's collections. There are two versions, one with rounded lenses and one square, available in black or tortoiseshell. Made in Italy, the sunglasses feature polarized glass, and a certificate of authenticity comes with each pair of glasses attesting to the originality, design and quality and the use of 18-carat gold. Each pair is presented in its own jewelry case featuring a plaque with the words "Dolce &Gabbana Gold Edition". Inside there is a portable case in black leather, decorated with a plaque and logo. The Gold Edition models are available at ILORI Luxury Sunglass boutiques with prices ranging from $490 - $580, except for the squared version which will be on sale exclusively in Dolce & Gabbana boutiques.

Gallery: Dolce & Gabbana SS2011 Gold Edition

Tags: Brad Pitt, Dolce Gabbana, eyewear, gold, ILORI, Italian fashion, Italy, mens style, sunglasses

$25,000 Sama Sunglasses Giveaway for Breast Cancer Awareness

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Charity

ILORI is donating a percentage of purchases through November 7 to Breast Cancer Research, so to encourage shoppers, they're putting a $25,000 pair of sunglasses up for grabs!

Just buy any pair of Sama Eyewear, Badgley Mischka Eyewear or Loree Rodkin EyeCouture at any ILORI or Optical Shop of Aspen (ILORI's co-sponsor) before November 7th, and not only will a percentage of your purchase be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, but you'll also be automatically entered to win the $25,000 Samas in a random drawing.

The one-of-a-kind "Pink Pyramid of Diamond" Sama sunglasses (pictured above) feature 1.75 carats of white diamonds in an 18k rose gold frame with 18k rose gold micro-coated lenses. That's right: rose gold micro-coated lenses. These are actual rose colored glasses, and they're sparkly to boot.

Click here to find an ILORI near you.

Tags: Badgley Mischka, Breast Cancer Awareness, eyewear, ILORI, Loree Rodkin, Optical Shop of Aspen, Sama Eyewear, sunglasses, Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Vuzix Wrap 310XL Video Eyewear Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

The promise of covert video watching can be yours. That's right. No more embarrassing instances of watching the Teletubbies (or let's just say it, adult content) on a plane while your cabin neighbors snicker at your preferred form of cathartic entertainment. You can now do all that in relative privacy. Vuzix has taken it upon themselves to be an expert in video eye wear. What does that mean? Basically, these are products that you wear on your face that project images near your eyes, simulating the act of looking at screens that are further away. Visit their site to browse through the veritable treasure trove of bona fide video gadgets sure to make the 10 year old in your eagerly grab for one. It is true that wearing a face mounted TV screen shaped like sunglasses is pretty neat. The task for you is finding what do to with them.

Vuzix makes the experience pretty comfortable once you've decided how you want to use them. The concept is actually complex, and Vuzix has clearly pushed forward, continually refining the concept. The Wrap 310XL's are midrange video eye wear products in Vuzix's collection, and deliver as promised. They sport two small screen in front of each eye that together give the appearance that you are looking at a 55 inch screen (for these models) from 10 feet away. You can even wear them with glasses, or use the diopter adjustment to focus each screen individually to your eye sight.

Tags: 310xl, eyewear, review, video, vuzix, VuzixWrap310, wrap

Continue reading “Vuzix Wrap 310XL Video Eyewear Review”

The Classicist: Made in the Shade - Porsche Design Heritage Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Unlike some collections whose famous names reflect only lucrative licensing deals, products bearing the Porsche Design label have a pedigree that's strongly linked to the famed sports car marque. The Porsche Design Studio was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the iconic Porsche 911 and grandson of the founder of the world-renowned German automaker. Since then Porsche Design has become synonymous with innovative luxury products boasting immaculate craftsmanship, state of the art technology and the absolute highest quality materials, all adhering to the same clear functionality of form. While the product line ranges from cell phones to superyachts these days, sunglasses, one of the first items produced and one with the strongest ties to driving, remain the most appealing.

During the '70s and '80s the coveted sunglasses were the shades of choice for the rich and famous who prized elegant, sporty style. Now Porsche Design Eyewear has come out with a new "Heritage Collection" of aviators celebrating this colorful history. Often copied by others, they remind us that the originals haven't been bettered. The new collection is not just a re-issue of the most notable sunglass designs however, but also an update for the 21st century. Iconic styles that went out of production years ago are back with major upgrades in materials with super lightweight, anti-corrosive titanium frames and lightweight shatter-proof polycarbonate lenses with a multi-layered premium anti-reflective coating. Priced from $250–$409, there are four classic styles in the collection in various color combinations, all variations on the iconic aviator shape and all now available from haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies.

Gallery: Porsche Design Heritage Collection

Tags: aviator, aviator sunglasses, aviators, car design, design, Eyegoodies, Eyewear, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, German design, Germany, leather, Porsche 911, Porsche Design, sports car, sunglasses, titanium

Continue reading “The Classicist: Made in the Shade - Porsche Design Heritage Collection”

Gotti Eyewear Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The beauty of simplicity is the motto that defines the Gotti Switzerland eyewear collection, a line designed by Sven Gotti. The glasses are fashioned with titanium, acetate and genuine horn and meticulously designed. These are the types of glasses that attract attention in a subtle way. Since 1993, the Swiss company's philosophy has remained constant--designing eyewear that is simple and elegant. The glasses are sold in almost 40 countries and owner and creator, Sven Gotti designs every item in the collection and a new collection is released every six months. Prices range from $298 - $2470.

Tags: eyewear, eyewear collection, gotti eyewear

Ray-Ban Launches Carbon Fiber Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

Earlier this year we told you about Ray-Ban re-inventing classic sunglass styles with their Craft Leather Collection; now the famed eyewear brand has done it again, this time using high-tech carbon fiber. The two styles in the new Carbon Fiber Collection include a classic aviator (top) and a rectangular version of the iconic pilot's style. Carbon fiber, which is stronger and lighter than steel, is used on everything from supercars to jet fighters and the space shuttle. The sunglasses also employ a resin composite for added flexibility and resilience. Both the aviators ($160) and rectangular style ($180) feature lightweight polycarbonate lenses and slim elongated carbon fiber temples with rubber tips for added strength, comfort and non-slip grip. Both are now available with either polarized or non polarized lenses in multiple classic color combinations and matching carbon fiber-patterned cases from haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: carbon fiber, Eyegoodies, eyewear, Ray-Ban, sunglasses

Evan Yurman, Next in Line for the David Yurman Empire - Exclusive Interview

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Last year when we talked to David Yurman (David Yurman at Bloomingdales - Exclusive Interview), he spoke about working as a husband-and-wife team and alluded to the increasing involvement of his son in the family business. Evan Yurman has helped with the men's collections, and now, has even designed his own collection of women's eyewear (known to non-industry folks as "sunglasses") for David Yurman.

We talked to Evan Yurman, the next in line for the David Yurman empire, about more than just fancy shades -- read the interview below for a peek inside this fiery fashion heir; a talented designer in his own right. Just scroll down to see the amethyst-studded beauties which grace his sparkling collection ($695).

Luxist: Have you always been involved in the family business?

Evan Yurman: I officially joined the company in 2004. Before then, I spent time cutting and carving with my knife collection; it was part of my eventual growth into design. Creativity has always been part of my life, so it is great to have an outlet to explore my ideas.

L: What do you foresee in the future of the Yurman collections?

EY: We will continue to incorporate unique, artisanal elements into our collections while staying true to our brand DNA of innovation in the modern tradition. I like integrating different textures and motifs -- rhino, sea urchin, waves, chevron are some of my favorites.

Tags: David Yurman, DavidYurman, designer interview, DesignerInterview, Evan Yurman, EvanYurman, eyewear, sunglasses

Continue reading “Evan Yurman, Next in Line for the David Yurman Empire - Exclusive Interview”

Vogue CFDA Sunglasses Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry

Summer is starting and it's time for some new sunglasses. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Luxottica have teamed up with designers Devi Kroell, Kara Ross and Matt Murphy to create a limited edition Vogue Eyewear Collection. The collection marks the first time that each of these designers has designed sunglasses. The collection is launching this month exclusively at Sunglass Hut and each style will retail for $129.95.

Shown above are the Devi Kroell Whip sunglasses. The Whip has a modern safari look with a snakeskin texture in a creamy ivory shade with gold-toned mirrored lenses and metal accents on the nose bridge. Two more designs and a video after the jump.

Tags: CFDA, Devi Kroell, EyeWear, Kara Ross, luxottica, Matt Millen, summer, Sunglass Hut, vogue

Continue reading “Vogue CFDA Sunglasses Collection”

Dunhill Launches New Line of Sunglasses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Men's Style

Famed London luxury goods firm Dunhill is launching a new line of men's sunglasses for Spring / Summer 2010. Each design, priced at $325, takes inspiration from elements of the Dunhill menswear collection, with three themes entitled Club, Classic and Ultimate. Every pair of Dunhill sunglasses features lightweight polyamide lenses which are breakage-resistant and offer the highest standards of UV protection and optical quality, with the Alfred Dunhill 'AD' vintage logo branded on each temple. The Club collection presents a choice of casual designs in a neutral palette to pair perfectly with Dunhill's crisp Oxford striped shirts, khaki chinos and Bladon leather luggage; the black-toned Classic collection is inspired by Dunhill's tradition of finely-tailored tuxedos; and the Ultimate collection is inspired by the motoring-derived carbon fiber which Dunhill uses in everything from pens to skis. The masculine and functional material is complemented by rubber elements with rubber injected 'AD' logos and carbon fiber and rubber lined temples for a comfortable fit. Every piece of Dunhill eyewear is presented in an 'AD' embossed black case complete with branded cleaning cloth and a Dunhill heritage and guarantee booklet.

Tags: carbon fiber, Dunhill, eyewear, London, menswear, summer, sunglasses

Versace Baroque-Print Sunglasses

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Hot off the runways in Milan, Versace is launching their Fall/Winter 2010-2011 sunglasses. These swirly-chic pieces are both Maison and Alice in Wonderland inspired, and feature the house's classic, elegant baroque renderings and raised bas relief technique Versace Medusas on the sides.

A far cry from the drugstore prints, these acetate-framed shades easily complement most ensembles, including contrasting patterns. Check out the hot colors in the gallery below to see how rock and roll this look can be. Accessories like sunglasses are always a fabulous way to update a stagnant wardrobe of safe staples, and the perfect way to sport a high end brand without spending too much cash -- these will only set you back $190.

The unmistakable Baroque-Print sunglasses are available in Versace boutiques now and will be hitting other stores in May.

Gallery: Versace Baroque-Print Sunglasses

Tags: eyewear, fashion, style, sunglasses, versace

You're it with Maria Sharapova's TAG Heuer Eyewear Collection

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Jewelry, Celebrity Design

Your list of personal attributes might not include blonde, 6' 2" and mean-with-a-backhand. There might not be a Wimbledon trophy with your name on it. You might not even be Russian. But that doesn't mean you can't at least look like – kind of – the person who has all of those qualities. To do so, you should probably start with the Maria Sharapova Sunglass Collection by TAG Heuer Eyewear.

Designed by the Grand Slam winner herself, the collection includes aviator frames in motorsports-grade stainless steel, or thick, hand-polished, black acetate large-format frames. That latter variety is available in several trims: black with gray or gradated lenses; ivory frame with blue grey lenses; tortoiseshell with gradient brown lenses; and dark plum with gradient pink lenses. And so that there will be no doubt, her autograph is discreetly laser-etched into the ultra light, shatter-resistant, UVA- and UVB-protected lenses.

The collection goes on sale as of this month, retailing for $250.00 at TAG Heuer Eyewear retailers. Your road to the Grand Slam begins here, and once you've mastered the glasses you can work on that backhand...

Gallery: Maria Sharapova Collection by TAG Heuer Eyewear

Tags: accessories, EyeWear, glasses, maria sharapova, sunglasses, tag, tag heuer

The $15,000 Platinum Bentley Sunglasses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style

At the Geneva Motor Show Bentley just unveiled a new line of limited edition sunglasses created in collaboration with Austrian eyewear manufacturer Estede. Working with the famed British marque's design teams in Crewe, England, the Estede for Bentley collection features precious metals - silver palladium, 18 carat gold and, most exclusive of all, platinum, which Estede claims has never before been used in eyewear - and innovative surface treatments mirroring Bentley's quilted leather upholstery. Available in two different sizes, the aviator-style shades will be offered in a presentation box containing interchangeable lenses for varying activities. Each pair will be individually numbered and can also be engraved with owner's name and / or Bentley model number. Prices will range from about $1,900 for the silver palladium version and $5,500 for the 18 carat gold all the way up to $15,000 for the platinum model.

Tags: Austria, Bentley, Estede, eyewear, Geneva Motor Show, GenevaMotorShow, platinum, precious metal, PreciousMetal, sunglasses, UK

Eyewear

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL